WJPA Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Paul Skenes had a perfect game into the seventh inning, Konnor Griffin hit his first career home run on his 20th birthday and drove in three runs to help the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 on Friday night. Skenes (4-1), the NL Cy Young winner, didn’t allow a base runner until Jake Bauers’ sharp single to right with two outs in the seventh. He was vying to become the first pitcher to throw a perfect game in American Family Field. There have been two no-hitters. Skenes gave up one hit over seven shutout innings. He struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter. He threw 93 pitches — 62 for strikes. Mason Montgomery and Isaac Mattson completed the one-hitter.

The Steelers — who are still waiting for Aaron Rodgers to decide if he wants to run it back in 2026 — drafted Penn State’s Drew Allar in the third round of the NFL draft on Friday, turning to another nearby prospect a year after taking Ohio State’s Will Howard. Allar, once projected as a potential first-round pick during the early stages of his four-year run in Happy Valley, is very much like Howard: a tall, strong-armed presence in the pocket who is hardly considered a sure thing as a pro. Still, the Steelers saw enough to use the 76th overall pick on Allar, whose arrival gives the team another young arm to join a room that also includes veteran backup Mason Rudolph and — if he decides he wants to return for a 22nd season — Rodgers. Allar was one of four selections by Pittsburgh on Friday. The Steelers selected Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard in the second round, with Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette and guard Gennings Dunker from Iowa joining Allar as third-round picks.

Carson Beck ended up becoming the first player selected in the third round of the NFL draft after once being considered a potential top pick. The Arizona Cardinals took the polarizing Miami quarterback with the 65th overall pick on Friday night. He’ll join a quarterback room that includes veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew and play for rookie coach Mike LaFleur. Beck was only the third QB selected in a draft that’s considered thin at the sport’s most important position. Fernando Mendoza went No. 1 to Las Vegas and Ty Simpson was selected 13th by the Los Angeles Rams. Drew Allar became the fourth quarterback selected when the Pittsburgh Steelers took him at No. 76.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jayson Tatum continued to impress in his return from injury, scoring 25 points to help the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-100 on Friday night. Jaylen Brown also scored 25 points, giving Boston a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia. Tatum made 5 of 9 three-pointers in just his 19th game this season after Achilles surgery. Philadelphia played without center Joel Embiid, who is recovering from an appendectomy. Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points for the Sixers. Boston’s strong 3-point shooting made the difference in the game.